Valve kicks off Portal 2 Summer Mapping Initiative competition

Make-your-own-portal-puzzle contest on now until June 6th

Handy with a portal gun? Got a head for mind-bending puzzles? Valve is welcoming PC Portal 2 players to put their ingenuity on display during its Summer Mapping Initiative, a contest which calls on players to create their own Portal 2 levels for a chance to win Aperture Science swag and star treatment on the game'sofficial website.

The contest allows entrants to submit one level for both its Single-Player and Co-op categories. According to the rules, creators may only use the assets provided by Valve, and each level must be doable without the aid of engine or portaling glitches. Maps must also contain both and entry and exit door, which really should a be a given.

Participantsare encouraged to focus on making theirlevels innovative, easy on the eyes, and consistent with a chosen theme (I.e modern Aperture Science, old timey Aperture Science, destroyed Aperture Science, etc.). Valve stresses it is not simply looking for the most mind-boggling level (although complexity is listed as an asset), but one that exudes fun and is accessible to most players, writing, “Remember - making a puzzle extremely difficult does not necessarily make it better! Players of all skill levels will be playing and judging the maps, and while we all enjoy a good challenge, maps should be accessible to all players. But don't take that to mean they should be 'easy'!”

The two top creators will be rewarded with an Ultimate Portal 2 Gift Pack signed by Portal devs, a featured role on the Portal 2 website, and community spotlight honors at ThinkingWithPortals.com. What, no potato battery? Weak sauce.